Vegeta's Vengence

Part Four: Fire Fight

Written by:

SaiyanWarrior_Vegeta

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I drowsily stirred awake as the morning sun broke though my window and cast the warm glow on my face, shoulders, and arms. I stretched and then took my time sitting up and gazing around the room. Standing up, I made my to the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water. I undressed, putting my clean clothes on the sink counter by my red towel, then sat down in it and let my mind race as I soaked in the warmth of the bath. I sank down to where the leather collar about my neck was submerged. It felt good to just relax and not have to worry much about anything for once, at least at that moment.

I gazed down into the water and stared at it watching the way it moved and splashed with my movements and breathing. I dunked my head under and came back up, my black hair falling down below my shoulders with the weight of the water. I thought it funny a bit as I thought of the water trapped in the tub, savagely splashing against the sides as I moved scrubbing my hair with a shampoo. It was about like me, caught and no way out unless released. By that time I would most likely be well out of my prime and most likely put out to pasture, retired to live out my life when there was little more to enjoy.

Slowly I dunked my head under the water again rinsing out the soap and then reached for the bar of soap on a small wood stand I had made for it. I scrubbed at the dirt and grime that was on me from the day before washing it off. What little life I would have at the end would most likely feel odd for me without the fights and struggles I've had for so long. I rinsed that off as well and just relaxed a bit letting my mind wander where it wanted.

I listened to the silence around me and closed my eyes not moving, not making sound, but rather letting it come to me and calm my nerves. It was always quiet when I first woke up, having been used to rising at any sign of light. Finally letting out the water, I stood up and grabbed the towel, wrapping it about my waist, my tail hanging down wet as well. I grabbed up a knife and gently gripped my tail then trimmed the fur on it, giving it a cleaner appearance. After that, I shaved my face getting off the whiskers starting to grow not wanting any facial hair on me at this time.

I then dressed in my clothes leaving off my shirt and gloves as I turned and walked from the bathroom. I would clean my bathroom that night before bed like I had done now for some time. Again I moved my tail around and flicked it getting it dried. I then roughed my hair a bit shaking loose the excess water and my hair again stood in the normal position. I snatched up a comb and went through my hair with it, knowing it would be soft when it dried as well.

Smirking a bit at the thought, I never needed to trim my hair; it never grew past the original style. That too was from my history as a warrior. Our hair grew to where it would be out of our way while fighting and where it would not really need any type of maintenance. That was the good thing about it, though it did make it seem a bit weird if one was not used to it.

I paused momentarily and tugged softly at my collar getting it more comfortable about my neck. The time here was being kinder to me in some ways but other ways harsher. Now I was constantly busy and running about. My tasks never seemed finished and I wondered what my current Owner thought about my work. I let my mind ponder on that a bit. When I was in the middle of doing it, it didn't seem like it was that much until I took a step back and listed my work duties. I figured the way I was being repaid for my loyal service was having a roof over my head, food to eat when I wanted, a luxurious room of my own, and being treated with kindness not having to have the lash at my back constantly anymore.

My duties were plenty too, taking entrances and making sure they were assisted in any way they needed, unless they wanted something I was not allowed to do. I would also keep watch, taking regular patrols of the Keep to make sure no one wasn't doing anything they weren't supposed to. Then there was the task of showing new slaves to their rooms and making sure they read up on what they were supposed to. Then I would stand my post doing as ordered by my Master when he first ordered and not putting up a fight about it. If I did not understand what it was he wanted, then I asked, doing as told and learning very quickly.

I would talk to the others when they were troubled, letting them get out their thoughts and feelings without fear of reprisal. When they wanted to play with me, I did until called forth by Blackwell. I would then drop what I was doing letting them know that I was beckoned then go over and see what was needed of me. If I wasn't doing that then I was tending to another's wounds. Yes, my days were filled with various things, but I seldom asked for anything in return.

I was sitting in my corner one day when a messenger came in with a note. I hoped it was from Nienna, having not heard from her for some time now. Again I was let down as I took the message, but then read it and nodded my acknowledgment. He left and I finished reading the required items on the list needed to do this one thing.

A large fire had broken out on the boundaries of the Ravenloft Empire. I was being called forth at this time as a resource to go and fight this thing. It was in rough terrain and the other workers were in hot pursuit of the blaze hoping to catch it before it hit the boundary line. A person had put my name on the request list for resources and now I was being called forth. I looked to the enclosed map and saw they needed my help. If it hit the canyon bottom, the fire could go on for thousands of acres unchecked.

I stood and looked to my Master and knelt before him. "Master, I am being beckoned for a fire that broke out on the boundaries of Ravenloft. However I will not go if you do not desire my leaving."

Robert nodded his head some. *Very well Vegeta, but be careful. Come back to us safe and sound."

I bowed to him as I rose. "Thank you Master, I shall return and will do my best to not get harmed out there."

Turning, I tore up the stairs to my room and packed the necessary items and then headed down to the Throne Room again. I walked to the door and then paused a moment. Everyone's eyes were looking to me, I could feel them and so I turned around and gave a proud confident smirk to them. I shifted my pack then nodded to my Master once in reassurance that I would return safely. I then walked out the door of the Keep and took off into the air. My collar having been deactivated for this task I had been called forth to do.

The air was filled with smoke the closer I went to the fire. It was thick and burned the back of my throat, my eyes stung as I went in deeper. The heat itself would have been enough to turn a lot of people back. I flew in lower under the smoke until I seen a large number of tents and wagons. Landing, I told who I was to security and he pointed me to the head officials of the fire, the Incident Commander.

When I checked in with the Commander, I was told to set up camp and was given some paper and a pen. Forms needed to be filled and a test of abilities and weight load had to be gained from me so they knew my limits and what I could provide. After being given a designated assignment, I set up my tent amongst the others. By this point it was getting late and some of the other workers were coming back from their work. By the looks they held, they had worked very hard, their faces black from soot and their yellow shirts were more dirty with dirt, mud, and soot all combined.

I received a human's ration of food that night for dinner and the next morning was early. I woke as the others started to stir as well and stretched. Today was going to be hard work as I reported for duty and received my air missions for the day. I was briefed on the weather and fire behaviors from the day before and told what to watch for this day. I took my missions and memorized them as I went to another meeting place where others that could fly met.

I was given the heaviest jobs for the day, getting supplies to those on the lines and taking water to them. Then I was to turn about and use my ki attacks to build line around the fire on my way back. I was to catch the roughest and fastest moving points on the fire, the front known as the head of the fire. Lifting off with two ropes in my hands, I lifted the net up and took out required tools to the camps set out on the line.

Dropping that load, I flew out over head of them and then with my Renozoukan attack, I sprayed a fast and rapid series of blasts to the front, four hundred feet in front of the left part of the fire. I headed back to get a second load, this one was to be of water for those out working and pounding in lines. I came back and then landed and got ready for the next load. There was a team of two that came to me and were assigned to me to make sure nothing happened while working.

After a brief check, I then turned around and then lifted off again, only this time the winds were calming so I had to fly through the smoke now. Again the burning hit me and visibility was cut sharp at no more than 200 feet in front of me. The acrid stench hit my face, the heat and wind nearly taking my breath away. I lowered myself again and then looked for the yellow shirts. I found them, and dumped my load to them again. I pulled up and then took off for the head of the fire once more.

I looked down the smoke burning my eyes as I found the flame front and again threw out a series of blasts. I turned around and then went back to what they started dubbing the air strip. I landed and coughed trying to ease my throat from the smoke. The same two came to me with some water and gave a jug to me. I gulped it down and it soothed my throat then they readied their next load for me.

One turned around and looked to me. "We were told to let you know you are to also reinforce the hand crew's line. How are things going out there for you?"

I looked to him and nodded a bit. "The air is calm and its letting the smoke columns rise now higher into the flight path. Visibility is to 200 feet and not an inch more and fire is starting to flare up past the main front of that thing. It's getting bad already and the day isn't even half over yet."

The other one nodded taking down notes on a paper and then they fastened a harness about me now and set a pack onto the back. A couple saddle bags were attached to serve as makeshift holders for water. I felt a bit odd with this on, but they assured me it was just another load to be taken to the main fire. They checked it for comfort and proper fit then the other spoke to me about this load. "You are to land in at this point and then drop this pack. Then return here for further instruction."

I looked to the map they pointed out. It was rough and steep with two ways out and that was all. I nodded my understanding and then they stepped back out of my way. Taking off the load was uneven and for a moment the added air drag made me wobble a bit in the air. I quickly straightened out and then looked for my landing point.

Finding it, I landed out in front of them using my Final Flash to clear out a line ahead of them to make it easier for them. I turned and unbuckled the harness, glad to get it off. For a bit I felt as if I were a horse, and wasn't sure I liked it. However, these people were working hard and needed the supplies. If this was the only way to get it to them, I would not make fuss about it. These individuals' lives were in my hands and I would not let them down. I was getting used to the human race and knew them to be very industrious and willing to jump into the thick of a battle with no complaint. The least I could do is get what they needed to them.

After a long day of hard, continuous work, I finally made one final approach on the head of the fire. Dusk was falling into night and visibility was cut even lower now. I made a ki blast in my hands and fired another barrage of blasts with the Renozoukan again finally containing a portion on the west flank of the fire.

I pulled up and then finally headed back, hungry and tired. When I landed, I realized I was the last one back but I was given a jug of water to ease my parched throat. I had used so much energy during the day that I looked forward to dinner that night. We were called forth by the crew boss and given an extensive debriefing by the gate of the field we were using. By the time we finished, horses and carts were being brought to get the twenty of us and take us to the main camp once more.

I looked around wondering how many were actually slaves like I was but didn't ask the question to anyone but instead went about going about my business of washing up a bit and reporting to the Incident Commander once more. I waited my turn behind ten or twenty others and patiently and gazed about the camp. It was amazing how well structured it was here and yet a bit like the Keep with people going through the camp with various tasks to complete.

One of them looked to me and noticed my collar about my neck and stared at it. I just nodded to him once and then took a couple steps up toward the entrance to the Command tent. He kept staring at my collar and finally more out of habit l looked back to him. "May I help you sir?"

He looked to me a bit. "That collar about your neck, you're a slave right?"

I took a deep breath and glanced down then back up. "Yes I am sir. Why do you ask?"

He shrugged his shoulders a bit. "I don't think I've ever met a slave on these fires before. Who's your owner?"

I gained another step up again getting ever closer to the entrance. "Mr. Blackwell is my Master sir."

He nodded some. "What's your name or do you have one?"

I almost laughed at the question as it struck me as kind of funny. "My name is Vegeta, the Prince of Saiyans and an Elite Keep Guard."

The man wasn't much taller than I was, about five foot seven. He too was filthy from hard work and yet his spirits seemed high still. His voice was a soft tenor and calm. "What Keep are you the Elite Guard at?"

Turning, I made another step to the entrance. He seemed more curious than taunting about my condition and so I respectfully answered his questions. "I guard at the Hell's Keep Slave Post, located in the Ravenloft Empire."

That must have carried some weight that I didn't know about as I watched him take a step back in surprise. He looked to me more with a wide, excited look to his eyes. "You're not the Vegeta are you?"

I nodded some to confirm what I had said. "I am, why look so surprised?"

He shook his head and gave me a grin. "You're known for your fighting and courage. Do you ever back down from a fight when one is presented?"

This time I shook my head. "No, I never have. I am a warrior by birth and that is what I plan to stay, slave or not. To top that off a true warrior never backs down from a fight worth fighting."

He looked to me a bit more and nodded his head some. "Your fighting is becoming legendary from the stories people tell when they visit that place. Can you teach me a couple of pointers so I can learn to fight better?"

Giving him a nod, I then took another step to the door. I was now the fifth in line and they were getting through the people as fast as they could. "First off, never turn your back to your opponent, unless you want to die. Second, use what you have, when you have it. Finally, expect the unexpected, that may end up saving your hide. There is more but that should allow you to survive more fights."

The man nodded. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Valindar, I live some forty miles from here to the west. I was just looking at your collar and it kind of intrigued me. Can you take it off here on the fire? I mean it looks good with you but it is highly noticeable."

I shook my head. "No only my Master and permanent death can remove it from my neck. It's a Soul Collar that's why."

Nodding some he then looked to the person behind him and I gazed to the person as well realizing that the person was listening as well. We talked for the next several moments until I heard the Incident Commander call next. I stepped inside and stood in front of a desk as he looked over my air missions from the day.

He looked up to me and then his brow furrowed a bit. He gave a small snort. "A slave I see. If I would have known that, I would not have called for you to come and help."

My eyes narrowed to him. "I didn't have to come, but I did because my services were requested. My being a slave does not hinder my capabilities Sir, so I suggest you keep your tongue to yourself."

He rolled his eyes a bit. "How would your Master think of you talking to me this way. I'm of higher position to you so don't talk unless spoken to."

My body tensed a bit as I growled under my breath. "My Master would not mind and if you treat me cruelly in any way, trust me, I will have you removed from this life. If you don't want me here then release me from the work and I'll leave. I have other things back at Hell's Keep that I could be doing instead, Sir."

He raised a brow some. "No, you won't be released for another nine days. By that time the fire should be well underway of being contained if not contained. You, slave, will be the key instrument to this."

Standing up more proud, a cold glare came to my black eyes. "The name is Vegeta. I prefer you call me by my name."

That caught him by surprise. He clearly didn't expect the reply I had given him. "You are Vegeta? The Prince of Saiyans and slave of Blackwell? I'm sorry I didn't think you were that person."

My expression held and a smirk came to my face slowly. Maybe my name did have some weight around here, or that of my Master. I thought that more likely in this case. "Next time I suggest you bite your tongue before you know to whom you speak, Sir. I will continue to work here for as long as needed. The only thing I will ask of anyone is to be treated with some degree of fairness. My being a slave I know may put me a bit lower than that of you, but that does not mean that I must be degraded as such."

He nodded in his agreement. "I apologize for the attitude Vegeta, I was just well, you know, out of line there. Slave or not, you are to be treated as an equal on this fire, one of our rules here."

Nodding some I finally let my expression turn to that of question as he looked over my folder a bit more closely. "You are used for the air attacks I see. However, there may be ground work that may need to be done as well. A safety zone needs to be put in place for this division and a line needs to be accomplished on this part of the East flank by no later than tomorrow. If that isn't done by sunset tomorrow, then the whole plan goes down the drain."

Glancing to the map, I viewed where he was looking to. I shook my head. "No that isn't the critical part right there, its down here toward the anchor spot. That has more potential of getting below them and endangering their lives. I know, I took a detour around there today and its ready to go by first light. Division A is over there in a spike camp on the line and will not be able to escape should it go. If I have to I will work through the night to obtain their safety."

He looked over the map again then looked to me. *If you do that, then come time for your work in the morning, you'll be exhausted. You wouldn't have your full work potential then for the long day of work ahead of you."

I didn't like to argue with any of that of higher authority than I by this time but I could see his flaws. "I don't care about that right now. I have watched enough senseless death when my home world was destroyed, I will not let these people suffer that same fate. I will work through tomorrow as well on top of this task. However they need help and they need it quick, or we could lose the entire division."

He continued to look over the map as I pointed out the various locations. *The point you were talking about could go, I can catch that in two or three days, but this point needs to be hit now and hit hard. Let me eat and rest for about three hours then wake me. I'm over on the East side of camp in the canvas tent by the last wagon where the horses are pastured for the night."

He gave a sigh and then nodded his approval. "Very well then Vegeta, you seem to be well taught in strategy. If you can do this and pull off work tomorrow, I'll let you rest for a day to catch up on your energy."

I nodded some and then shook his hand. "Very well then. That is the plan then. That gives me about four hours to do what I must and then get gong again."

The Incident Commander looked to me as I walked out of the tent and into the crisp night air. The man that was behind me had heard us talk about the situation on the line. He put a hand on my shoulder and I stopped and looked back to him. I could see the look of concern on his face. "Good luck Vegeta, and be careful. I want to see you around camp tomorrow night safe and eating dinner."

I gave a small grin. 'This won't be the first time I've pulled an all nighter my friend, but thank you for your concern."

I turned and walked to the dinner line and grabbed me a double meal to get my energy up for the night. I turned and went to another set of tents set up for dinner with tables put up for workers to eat at. I sat down, my tail unwrapping from my waist and hung down resting on the ground beside me. I knew what I was getting myself into and this night would be a night of little time to rest up. Finishing my meal, I went back to my tent and then laid down putting my head on a pillow and closing my eyes.

The three hours seemed to fly when someone came by and tapped the top of my tent. A voice seemed to be whispering to me. "Vegeta, get up. You wanted to get up by this time did you not?"

"I'm up." I stated and yawned, stretching out and then sitting up. Getting out of my tent, I was handed a yellow shirt to wear on this night mission. I slipped it on and buttoned it up and tucked it inside my pants. I walked over to the person and looked to him. There was a group of them around my tent though why I didn't know.

They made way for me and I stepped over to the Security tent again, given the okay then took off for the fire. Division C was already in progress of trying to evacuate the line when I flew overhead. The fire was already beginning to come below them and start its climb toward the entrapped people. I flew in low, almost grazing the trees as I went hoping the others to follow my lead to a safer place.

The crew boss looked up and waved to me to let me know I was spotted. With that they began to make their way to the river I was leading them toward. It wasn't long before I realized the way was threatened by the fire crossing the line up ahead. I made the decision to land ahead of the others as they caught up to me. The leader looked to me with a silent fear in his eyes as did the others. I was their only hope for survival and I knew it.

I was still exhausted but I mustered up more of my ki and fired a Final Flash again. With that, it cleared a path and we ran through the freshly made trail. The intense heat forced my head lower and the tips of my hair was starting to singe. Fur on my tail started to smolder and so I untucked the shirt and let my tail up inside the shirt to protect it from the searing heat of the flames only inches away from us. We charged through and then hit one more flame front on our course.

Tired and drained, I put one hand out palm out and flat. I placed my other hand right behind my wrist and then braced myself. Gathering every bit of energy I had left, I shot my Galick Gun through the fire and cleared the path again, but I was too tired to continue. I dropped to a knee and panted for breath. The air was thick with smoke and it burned my throat and chest. I coughed trying to gain my breath, but the smoke seemed to choke me even more.

One person from the crew offered his water to me, and I thanked him for it, but could not drink it all in case we needed it further down the line. He placed my arm over his shoulder and took me out of reach of the fire. When we reached the shores of the river, I collapsed and still tried to pant for breath. I fell the rest of the way to the ground and closed my eyes thinking if I could just gain a little bit of my strength back I could go to work that day.

When I woke, I was back at the field used for air operations and two people were looking after me. I looked around and seen the look of relief and concern on the faces surrounding me. Slowly I began to sit up only to be pushed back down again. The leader came up to me again and shook his head. "You gave us quite a scare Vegeta. We weren't sure you would make it to the river banks, not as tired as you were."

I nodded some and still tried to sit up, feeling my strength returning to me again. Another person came up to me with four bags of food that were supposed to be for lunch and handed them to me. I scrounged through the bags and pulled out some juice, a couple of sandwiches, and a few pears. My body was starved for energy and this food would have to suffice enough to get some more of my reserves back up.

After the day was done of more flying missions, I was told to take a day off and take it easy. I couldn't argue otherwise and so did as told. That day, I wrote a letter to my Master to let him know I was doing all right out here on the fire. A messenger came by and took it then headed off to the Keep with it. I looked to the smokey skies and wondered if they even missed me, but I didn't know for sure. I couldn't think of that now, but with the collar about my neck, it was hard not to.

I went to the lunch line and grabbed me a meal then I turned and went to my tent instead of eating at the tables provided. I wanted to be alone, away from the controlled life that I was living. Sitting down, I looked to the others about the camp then watched them go about their tasks. They did this voluntarily and even myself to a point. Inside it felt as if I wanted to break free and just fly off, never to return. Then my thoughts wandered to my son and the Keep. I remembered their eyes staring at me and my Master's words wishing for my safe return. I couldn't just abandon them, then I would be no better than that of Frieza, I had to return to them.

I looked to the ground and felt the wind blow through my hair. It seemed the simplest pleasures brought me the greatest pain of loneliness. I was never really able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life that most took for granted here. I wasn't even sure if there were other slaves out here. That day I kept to myself as much as possible and soaked in the quiet time letting my mind wander where it pleased, good or not.

The following eight days were mostly of flying missions and the tasks of lifting out equipment and giving aid where needed. Each time I was turning back, I fired off a couple of blasts to help secure the fire line the hand crews built. The day before I was released, the fire was contained and moving into mop up stage. In mop up, the fire was to be extinguished from the fire line they had dug and head into the black burned areas looking for hot spots and putting them out until they were sure that the fire would not jump the line anymore.

I walked into the Command tent on the final night for a debrief off the fire. The next morning I was to be heading back for the Keep, back to what I was beginning to call my second home. That night I spent packing and getting things back into my pack ready to leave by break of dawn. I looked over to the Command tent and then walked over peering in. He waved me inside once more and I stepped and remained standing.

He looked to me and then nodded. "Here's your pay, and if we need you again, we'll send a messenger. I must say, you were one hell of a worker Vegeta, thank you for your services."

I nodded some to him and then began to walk out when a group of people were around the tent awaiting my exit. As I stepped out, I was greeted with a chorus of farewells and then without saying much I grabbed my belongings and took off into the sky. I headed for the Keep, thinking of my duties there that awaited me. I had a lot to catch up on and for once I hoped for a day off of just doing my normal tasks.

I landed outside the Keep doors and shifted my pack to carry it on one shoulder then pushed open the huge doors once more. I stepped into the massive Throne Room and looked to the thrones seeing my Master busy. I walked up to him and knelt before him though my appearance must have been less than impressive.

I was covered with soot and filthy from my work on the fire, but that didn't seem to bother anyone really. Blackwell looked to me and I could almost feel a delight about the room of my return. I kept my eyes low from him and then with a bit of relief to be back, I stated, "Master, I have returned as I have said I would."

"Very well Vegeta, go ahead and take a day off of your duties and gain your rest." Robert said pleased.

I nodded some. "As you wish Master."

Then standing, I went to my room and stepped into the bath with clean clothes set aside. I scrubbed and soaked for a bit letting my energy catch up with me. It felt good to be able to not have to worry for this day as I then rose out and dried off. I wrapped the towel about my waist and then washed out the tub. I slipped into clean clothes and went back down then sat in my corner. Having had a taste of the outside life away from the Keep, it made me realize just how much I had here.

The fire fight had brought everything into perspective in my life, my priorities made clearer than before. For that I was grateful and couldn't wait to see what came ahead of me. Whatever it was, I felt a bit more prepared for anything that may come my way. That night, I went to bed and covered up glad to be finally, back in my own bed and home.